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Category: Resident Experience

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Renters Insurance 101: 4 Things Every Renter Needs to Know

A majority of your residents don’t have renters insurance because they don’t see the necessity. They feel like they don’t own anything that is worth a lot of money, so they opt out of paying renters insurance monthly to protect their “cheap” furniture and other items. Even if your residents don’t own anything that’s worth much, if they add up the cost of everything they own — clothing, television, furniture, and so much more — it really adds up. Renters insurance is an essential part of the ultimate resident experience because if the unexpected happens, your residents will have peace of mind knowing their stuff is protected. As a property manager, if your residents are happy and at peace, you will be too! 

So, since we’re always here to help, we put together a simple guide for property managers to share with their residents on what they need to know about renters insurance.

What’s covered? 

Typically a renters insurance policy will consist of three main coverage categories: 

  • Personal Property recovers the cost of lost or damaged valuables if an unanticipated event occurs.
  • Temporary Living Expenses will cover the cost of a hotel, and sometimes even food and laundry, if your residents’ current home becomes unlivable.
  • Personal Liability and Medical Bills can cover hospital bills or legal fees from a lawsuit if an accident happens at your residents’ apartment and someone gets hurt

What isn’t covered? 

Renters insurance covers a lot, and in a perfect world it would cover everything — but it doesn’t.

Unfortunately, it excludes coverage for:

  • Damages from major natural disasters, like a flood or earthquake
  • Infestations, such as bedbugs, and dog bites 
  • Damages to your residents’ car due to theft (but the stolen item itself is covered!) 
  • A roommate’s damaged, lost, or stolen items 

How much does renters insurance cost?

Usually, renters insurance is affordable and costs between $10-$15 a month. As you know, insurance policy costs can vary, so it’s important to shop around. Luckily, we shopped around for you and your residents. We discovered a company that offers a renters insurance policy starting at just $5 a month! 

Where can I get renters insurance?

Your residents will want to make sure they receive renters insurance through a licensed company. However, like we said above, there’s no need for them to shop around, because we already found the top renters insurance company they’ve been waiting for! Look no further than Lemonade, the most loved renters insurance in America.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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Whose Job Is It? Providing A/C for Renters at Multifamily Properties

Air conditioning is often a point of contention between renters and property managers, and with the hottest months of the year nearly here, we’re heading into prime time for A/C-related disagreements to arise.  So what rights and responsibilities do renters have when it comes to air conditioning?  Do property managers have responsibilities here?  Here’s our quick guide to how to handle the air conditioning issue.

Are you required to provide air conditioning to renters?

The short answer is: maybe!  It depends on where the property is.  In general, air conditioning is not on any list of things that property managers are legally required to provide, and is not considered a necessary condition for habitability.  However, some states do have laws specifically requiring the provision of functioning air conditioning to renters, and some residents may have medical conditions that entitle them to a working air conditioning unit even if you don’t need to have one for other residents.  Check the laws in your states to determine for sure whether you need to provide A/C.

Consider mentioning air conditioning in the lease.

If you’re not legally required to provide working air conditioning, you may want to consider specifying the exact situation and your policies in the lease.  (This is a good idea for any topic that may result in a disagreement between you or your company and residents.)  Think about laying out clearly whether air conditioning is provided and what will happen if it breaks.  That way, everything’s clear up front and there’s less room for disagreement if things stop working.

Document everything.

As with any dispute or potential dispute between you and a resident, you’ll want to have documentation so that you have clear evidence and can protect yourself in the event of legal action.  Keep records of all communications between you or your staff and residents on air-conditioning issues and document all steps you take to repair broken equipment.

The good news is, keeping good records is easier than ever thanks to modern property management software that organizes everything digitally, and keeps track of all communication between you, your team, and your residents.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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4 Trends in Property Management to Prepare You for the Green Resident Wave

Environmental concerns are growing in importance for many renters, especially younger ones.  That means that the way your properties impact the environment is going to be a bigger and bigger factor in determining whether you’re able to attract residents going forward.  So what do you need to know to make sure you’re prepared for what’s to come?  Check out our guide to environment-related trends in property management below!

Electric vehicles

According to Forbes, 23% of Americans would consider buying a fully electric vehicle (EV) in the future, and 27% would consider buying a hybrid vehicle (and, while traditional hybrid vehicles don’t need to be plugged in, a growing number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, do).  The number of people interested in electric vehicles is far higher than the number who own them right now, which means that the number of EVs in use will only continue to grow.  By providing EV charging stations, you’ll open yourself to that growing market.

Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats are another piece of environmentally friendly technology that’s growing in popularity.  These devices are able to heat and cool a unit more efficiently, getting the same results while using less energy.  That makes them better for green residents and better for you, since you’ll be using less energy — and less money — regulating the temperature of any spaces where you’re responsible for energy costs, like common areas or vacant units.

Recycling requirements

Some cities and states are starting to implement or consider implementing recycling requirements for multifamily properties.  Even if such requirements haven’t come to your area yet, they may in the future.  For that reason, it’s a good idea to act now to make sure recycling is as easy as possible for your residents.  That way, you’ll stay ahead of the curve in terms of legal requirements, and you’ll make your property a great place for environmentally conscious renters.

Financial benefits

Besides the increasing demand from potential residents, environmental impact is starting to become important to investors and lenders as well.  Green properties are higher in value than equivalent properties that don’t meet modern environmental standards, and some lenders even offer better pricing on loans for property development projects with green building certifications.  Getting one or more of those certifications can give you and your properties a major leg up as this trend continues to develop.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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Exclusive Partnerships for ManageGo Users You Won’t Want to Miss

At ManageGo, our top priority is providing the very best solutions to property managers and their residents. We believe that the best way to do that is by seeking innovative and exciting ideas that make property management easier, in addition to providing residents with the ultimate experience. It’s what we’ve always done, and we’re not slowing down now! Whether it’s new solutions like Leasing (which we just released this year) and Accounting (coming soon!) or exciting new partnerships, we’re always working on what’s next.

When it comes to partnerships in particular, we’ll have a lot to announce in the upcoming weeks. Recently, we secured four partnerships that will give ManageGo clients exclusive access to brands that will enhance property management and even the resident living experience. Through our partnerships we can help you explore and evaluate new opportunities that can make life more enjoyable or even more convenient so there’s more time to do the things you love, whether you’re a property manager or resident. 

Did you think ManageGo could get any better than this? Just wait a few more weeks until we launch our new partnerships and you get to encounter the ultimate experience through various top-rated brands that we consider to be the best of the best.  There’s so much to announce, we’re really excited about what we’ll be sharing and the opportunities we’ll be able to offer you and your residents, and we think you’ll love what’s coming. So stay tuned to join the celebration and make sure you don’t miss a thing — the industry’s best all-in-one tool for smarter property management is about to get even smarter.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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3 Ways to Communicate Better With Your Residents

It comes up time after time in discussions about how to keep things running smoothly as a property manager: communication with residents is crucial.  By communicating well, you let your residents know that you understand their concerns and are willing to do what it takes to address them.  If you’re interested in improving your communication, here are three of the most important things you can do to get started.

Show that you’re trustworthy

Many residents have a negative opinion of property managers and landlords.  When that’s the case, residents won’t think they have a good reason to communicate well with you, which makes it difficult or impossible for you to communicate well with them.  Show them that they can trust you by always doing what you say you’ll do and always being honest and forthright about anything that concerns them.

Give advance warning of any changes

Whenever anything happens on the property that will impact residents, let them know about it as soon as possible.  Provide details, like the nature of the disruption, when it’s expected to begin, and when it will conclude.  That way, residents can plan and be prepared for changes and conflict and confusion can be avoided.

Deliver good news

Don’t only reach out to your residents when you have negative information you need to share with them.  Instead, share positive developments with them from time to time as well.  Any time that life at the property will be improving, tell your residents, even if the news is small.  You’ll build a positive relationship and open up communication further.  If you don’t have any good news to share, you can try creating some — send a gift or organize a fun event to create some positive energy.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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The Top 4 Common Resident Complaints (& How to Handle Them)

Resident complaints are an unfortunate fact of life in the property management industry.  It’s impossible for everything to go perfectly all the time, and when something goes wrong, residents are sure to have an issue.  Still, there are steps you can take to minimize the number of complaints you encounter.  Here are a few of the most common resident complaints — and how you can avoid them:

Property condition

It’s inevitable that property conditions deteriorate over time, and that can lead to major problems in units you manage.  Whether caused by normal wear and tear or by something the resident did — problems with floors, walls, windows, and doors can arise, and those issues can be urgent, depending on the exact nature of the problem and weather conditions.  Make sure to stay diligent about conducting regular inspections and preventive maintenance to catch these issues before they become a major problem. Preventive maintenance can be a daunting task — but we’ve got you! Check out our list of tasks you need to perform every year to keep your property in tip-top shape.

Pests

The presence of pests on the property is bad news for both residents and the property manager.  Again, inspections and preventive maintenance can help prevent pest problems from arising or catch the issue early before it gets out of hand.  If pests do become a major issue, make sure that your communication with residents is good and that the problem is handled quickly and efficiently.

Broken or malfunctioning appliances

If you provide appliances for your residents, it’s also your responsibility to make sure that they remain in good working condition.  That means getting the issue fixed if an appliance breaks down.  Communication is key here — make sure your residents know that you’re on top of the issue, and let them know clearly when you expect the issue to be resolved.

Parking disputes

Not all properties offer parking, but for any that do, it can be a source of trouble.  Residents may have disputes with one another when one resident parks in another’s space, when visitors park in places where they aren’t supposed to or stay longer that they’re supposed to, or when people park in places that aren’t designated parking spots at all.  Make sure to do your part by stating all parking rules clearly and firmly and fairly enforcing the rules whenever a dispute arises.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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Top 5 Apartment Trends for Amenities at Your Multifamily Property in 2022

Apartment Trends For Amenities

The early part of a new year is a perfect time to assess your direction and goals in many areas, and your amenity spaces are no different.  Residents are always looking for the next big thing in amenities, and you don’t want to fall behind.  Take this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by taking a look at five trends that we think could be worth keeping an eye on in 2022.

1. Community events – It probably goes without saying that the pandemic has caused, and continues to cause, major disruptions to everyone’s lives.  As the situation continues to evolve, your residents will definitely be eager for the opportunity to have some fun and be social with their neighbors.  If it’s safe for you to do this with in-person events, that’s perfect!  If not, many fun events can still be held virtually.  Try to think of some cool events that your residents might like, and if you’re stuck, check out ours here!

2. Gym care – The new year means that many people will be hitting the gym every day.  Will it last all year?  Probably not, but this is still a good opportunity for you.  Use the higher volume of gym-goers as a kind of stress test for your exercise spaces.  If you’re able to keep your gym safe, clean, and effective throughout this busy period, you should have no problem doing so once things slow down again.

3. Package management – Online shopping definitely isn’t a new trend for 2022, but there’s also no reason to think it will slow down this year.  In fact, it’s likely that the number of packages your residents receive will only continue to increase.  It’s a lot to handle!  That makes it more important than ever to have a system like ManageGo in place to lighten the workload by helping you do things like notify residents, identify packages, and streamline pickups. For tips on how to keep up with this uptick in packages, read on our recent blog post.

4. Common workspaces – We may not know the details of how the trend toward remote work will change, but it’s clear that more people work from home now than a few years ago.  Working from home can offer a lot of benefits, but it’s also easy to feel trapped or stuck in one place all day.  If you can make sure that some of your common areas are places where residents feel comfortable coming to get out of their apartment while still getting some work done, it will definitely be appreciated.

5. Online communication – For many people, it’s more important than ever to have good communication with their neighbors, but that doesn’t make it easy.  An online space to talk can help a lot.  Providing a platform like ManageGo’s Engage where residents can stay in touch, share recommendations, and buy and sell items can go a long way toward building a sense of community in your properties.

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management. 

Want even more? Get your fix and follow our socials for all the latest property management tips, tricks, & trends!

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5 Easy Ways to Enhance The Resident Experience at Your Multifamily Property

Modern renters have a lot of choices when it comes to where to live.  It can put property managers in a tough position — in a world where renters have such a wide variety of options, how do you make sure that your properties stand out?  Here are five of our favorite ways to raise the bar and enhance the resident experience to make sure you attract and retain residents.

1) Organize community events — Everyone needs a chance to relax and have some fun.  Why not give your residents that chance by putting together an event they’ll enjoy?  They’ll be sure to appreciate a game night, a crafting activity, or a movie.  Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with some fun ideas of your own! If you’re stuck, check out our recent blog for more ideas!

2) Provide multiple payment options — Not all payment methods are perfect for everyone.  Online ACH payments are great for a lot of residents, but some people will always prefer other methods, and it’s important to accommodate them too.  That’s why ManageGo offers property managers support for credit and debit cards, checks, and cash payments too!  That way, everyone can pay in a way they’re comfortable with.

3) Provide tokens of appreciation — Remind your residents that they’re important to you by giving them something to show you care.  It doesn’t have to be anything big; something as small as a cookie can go a long way in letting someone know that they matter to you.  If you do like the cookie idea, you might even be able to get free or discounted cookies from a local bakery eager to promote itself to your residents.  It’s a win-win!

4) Help your residents stay engaged — Residents will love the chance to get involved and feel like they’re a part of something.  An online message board (like ManageGo’s Engage!) will let residents get to know each other and see what’s going on in the building, which can really help build a sense of community.

5) Use an all-in-one app — Renters today want to take care of all their needs online, and they want it all to be as easy as possible.  Letting them handle everything related to the building — whether it’s rent payments, maintenance, amenity bookings, event registration, or anything else — in one easy-to-use app like ManageGo will make things so much easier for them.  They’ll definitely thank you for it!

 

No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management.